[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 28, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S4682]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, last Saturday the people of Greece 
celebrated 172 years of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire. The 
Greek emancipation from the reins of tyranny brings to mind our own 
ancestors' struggle for freedom. Greece and the United States share a 
common struggle rooted in a common philosophy of liberty and self-
governance put forth by the ancient Greeks.
  Thomas Jefferson looked to the ancient Greeks when he made the case 
for representative democracy. Jefferson once said, `` * * *  to the 
ancient Greeks * * * we are all indebted for the light which led 
ourselves out of Gothic darkness.'' The Declaration of Independence 
closely mirrors the ideals of ancient Greek philosophers. Greek 
Independence Day not only commemorates Greece's victory over 
oppression, but also celebrates deeply rooted philosophical symmetry--
one honed by great statesmen from Aristotle to Thomas Jefferson.
  America's relationship with the Greeks came full circle when, on the 
eve of their revolution for independence, the Greek commander in chief, 
Petros Mavomichalis implored Americans for assistance:

       Having formed the resolution to live or die for freedom, we 
     are drawn toward you by a just sympathy since it is in your 
     land that liberty has fixed her abode, and by you that she is 
     prized as by our fathers. Hence, honoring her name, we invoke 
     yours at the same time, trusting that in imitating you, we 
     shall imitate our ancestors and be thought worthy of them if 
     we succeed in resembling you . . . it is for you, citizens of 
     America, to crown this glory.

  Cognizant of the familiar ideals upon which the United States was 
founded, Greeks emigrated to the United States en masse during the 
early 1900's. Thus, generations of Greek-Americans have been able to 
contribute to the reaffirmation of their ancestors' political 
philosophies.
  Greek immigrants emulated their ancestors' drive for knowledge. By 
1970, Greek-Americans already topped other ethnic groups in median 
educational achievement. Combined with this intellectual drive, Greeks 
brought with them a diligent work ethic. Greek Independence Day also 
gives us an opportunity to pay special tribute to the industrious 
traditions of Greek-Americans and their outstanding contribution to our 
society.
  I take this opportunity to wish all Greeks, whether they be in Greece 
or my home State of South Dakota, the very best during this 172d year 
of Greek independence.


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